The arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam and Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, both linked to Vice President Riek Machar, places South Sudan’s peace agreement at risk. This situation escalates existing tensions and undermines trust within the political framework established by the 2018 treaty, which aimed to resolve ongoing conflict and instability in the region.
The peace agreement in South Sudan faces significant jeopardy following the arrest of Lieutenant General Gabriel Doup Lam, a prominent military figure associated with First Vice President Riek Machar. The army has notably surrounded Machar’s residence, exacerbating tensions. In addition, Oil Minister Puot Kang Chol, part of the power-sharing arrangement established in the 2018 treaty, has also been detained, possibly held at a military intelligence facility. This situation is compounded by reports of arrests involving his relatives and bodyguards, alongside the confiscation of their electronics.
A spokesman for Vice President Machar stated, “This action violates the peace agreement and paralyzes the Joint Defence Board, which oversees the command and control of all forces. These measures erode trust between the parties.” The recent arrests occur against a backdrop of ongoing political and security strife in South Sudan, where violent confrontations among rival factions have persisted, despite the 2018 peace agreement aimed at resolving the civil war that erupted in December 2013. The conflict led to approximately 400,000 fatalities and displaced millions, causing profound economic and societal ruin for the nation.
The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), initially signed in 2018, has experienced substantial delays and challenges, particularly regarding the unification of armed factions essential to forming a cohesive national army.
In summation, the recent arrests of key officials connected to Vice President Riek Machar jeopardize the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan. These actions not only heighten political tensions but also threaten the ongoing peace process established by the Revitalized Agreement. The potential ramifications of eroding trust among involved parties could spell further instability in an already vulnerable nation.
Original Source: www.fides.org
